Modern Heliopolis was originally filled primarily with aristocratic Egyptians , as well as some European nationals. Unlike other modern Cairene suburbs around the start of the 20th century , Heliopolis had a significantly larger percentage of Egyptian citizen residents. After the 1952 revolution led by Nasser , it became home to much of Cairo's educated middle class. As Cairo has expanded , the once large distance between Heliopolis and Cairo has vanished and it is now well inside the city. Because of the large growth in population , the original gardens that filled the city have mostly been built over.

Heliopolis contains modern cafes (including Harris , Starbucks , Cilantro , Costa Coffee , and Beanos) and restaurants along with some Egyptian traditional ones. Some bars and nightclubs can be found. Tens of cinemas can be found in Heliopolis and its extension , Madinet nasr (Nasr City) , Normandy Cinema in Al-Ahram street , Cinema Roxy , Cinema Heliopolis along with the new cinemas in Horia Mall and City Stars , the largest shopping mall in Egypt.